Bag of Bones

Dirt works into the cracks in my skin,
so when you shake my hand, you know where it's been
Ink and smoke have stained my fingers for so long,
no soap or scalding water could ever wash them out
The smell sickens and intoxicates me
Tarnished skin gives me away
My habits and vices lay bare,
when I stroke your skin or touch your hair

Forgive me, love
Sometimes I haven't the energy to be clean
I just want to go to sleep

That's me in the Hefty bag on the side of the road,
tossed from your moving car
Like a puppy that wouldn't stop pissing on the carpet,
I don't deserve so much as a shallow grave

That's me in the dumpster behind the clinic
I'm the baby nobody had time for
Yeah, I'm the boy no one could afford


_{© 2010 Matthew M. Danielson}